Konami Slot Machines Flashing Subliminal Messages?

shadowspar writes "A Canadian province has pulled several models of Konami slot machines out of service after a news investigation revealed that they briefly flash a jackpot result on the screen every time they are played. Konami claims that the 'subliminal' jackpot images are unintentional and the result of a bug, but other US and Canadian jurisdictions are looking at pulling the machines as well."

Re:it can work... sometimes

[MindStalker]

You can't be brainwashed but your moods can be altered. There have been numerous test that show that flashes of dramatic images can cause emotional changes. There was a very recent experiment that showed the name of a nagging loved one can cause people to do worse on test when that name is only flashed for a brief 1/4th second to slow for the person to consciously detect. We do unconsciously see things, the ability to "control" people though that is doubtful, the ability to alter their train of thought is possible.

Re:Subliminal? What about overt?

[azrebb]

Actually, in Australia it's law that you have to be able to see a clock from where ever you may be in the gaming lounge. Of course, they can be a little tricky to spot at first...

Oooh! Just like the sexual shrimp inthe print ads!

[rueger]

I was under the impression that the idea of subliminal advertising was debunked some thirty years ago when Subliminal Seduction [snopes.com] burst upon the scene.

What's really interesting in casinos is the soundscape. Most sound just settles into a constant wash of beeps and talking and mechanical noise.

Except for the sound of coin hitting the payout tray under the slot machine. That has a pitch and timbre so striking and unique that it jumps out at you every time.

Re:Subliminal? What about overt?

[skuzzlebutt]

I've always found it interesting/creepy how in many of the big casinos in Vegas it is really easy and welcoming coming in, but confusing and cumbersome to leave...Excalibur is a good example: a moving walkway shuttles you right in the door, but to leave you have to find your way around the moving walkway, since there is no outbound equivalent, sometimes shuffling between turrets, up stairs, etc. Station Casinos are another good example, where the entrances are all big and well-marked from the outside, but once you get in the door, the exits are all blackened/darkened/mirrored so they kind of blend into the rest of the decor, and the inside of the casinos are labyrinthine at best. At many like Sahara, Imperial Palace, Luxor, and Wynn, the main entrance dumps you out into the valet horseshoe, so you have to brave walking in front of taxicabs, limos, and impatient drunk drivers to get off of the property.

Re:Subliminal? What about overt?

[Joe The Dragon]

I just hope that in a fire people don't get lost trying to get out.

Watch it yourself!

[Archimonde]

If you want to see some real thing like Neuro Language Programming, sublimal advertising, misdirection, suggestion etc, look for Derren Brown at youtube.

I guarantee it will blow you away.

To save you the trouble: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=derren +brown&search=Search [youtube.com]

Re:It doesn't work

[cp.tar]

Joking aside, I'd love to see[1] some subliminal advertising in movie theaters.

I've come to see the bloody movie; all you can accomplish by giving me 20 minutes of ads beforehand is a vow never ever to buy anything advertised in cinemas.

Well, that and loss of revenue, since I'm sure not going to pay money to watch the movie after 20 minutes of commercials when I can download it and watch it for free. Boo hoo, I steal your virtual money. Piss off, your commercials are stealing my real time.

Anyway, though I believe the net effect of advertising would be exactly the same, at least it wouldn't rob me of any of my time.
So subliminal marketing is not as evil as it's cracked up to be.

[1] Or not, as the case may be.

Re:Subliminal? What about overt?

[drinkypoo]

I can confirm the first paragraph and deny the second paragraph of your report. It does use a centralized database. It does not use sequential numbers, at least not in clear - they are at minimum obfuscated in some way. But I suspect they're guaranteed unique and psuedorandom.